Praise for local performers in 'Les Miserables'

Michael Joseph, music director of The Company Theatre, auditioned 238 people for 35 roles in the uipcoming production of "Les Miserables." “We were expecting a large turnout, but we were really shocked to have so many people at the door,” he said.

By Alain Boublil and Claude-Michel Schonberg, based on the novel by Victor Hugo. Directed by Zoe Bradford and Jordie Saucerman; choreographed by Sally Forrest; music direction by Michael Joseph....

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LES MISERABLES

By Alain Boublil and Claude-Michel Schonberg, based on the novel by Victor Hugo. Directed by Zoe Bradford and Jordie Saucerman; choreographed by Sally Forrest; music direction by Michael Joseph. July 24 through Aug. 17 at The Company Theatre, 30 Accord Park Drive, Norwell. Tickets are $36 and $39. www.Companytheatre.com or 781-871-2787.

Although “Les Miserables” is one of the most popular musicals, regional theaters have waited years for the rights to stage it. Local performers, too, have anticipated it eagerly.

That’s why hundreds of actors auditioned for the upcoming production by The Company Theatre, its largest number by far.

“People have been saying, ‘I can’t wait for you to do it,’” said music director Michael Joseph, who auditioned 238 people for a cast of 35. “We were expecting a large turnout, but we were really shocked to have so many people at the door. And they turned out to be the most highly trained people.”

Just last year, the rights became available for regional theaters to produce “Les Mis” (high schools have had the rights for a number of years), which opens Thursday night and runs through Aug. 17. It was a brief window, since the revival of “Les Mis” on Broadway in March has suspended the rights. Luckily, The Company Theatre took steps to guarantee its production, after being burned a number of years ago when it was all set to produce “Chicago” and lost rights after paying a deposit.

“We’ve always wanted to do Les Mis, and we grabbed it immediately,” Joseph said. “We paid for it in full right away so there was no way they could take it back.”

Based on Victor Hugo’s classic 19th century novel, the musical won eight Tony Awards when it opened on Broadway in 1987. Performed entirely in song with lyrics by Alain Boublil and music by Claude-Michel Schonberg, it ran on Broadway for 16 years before closing in May 2003. A national tour stopped in Boston in 2003 and 2006.

Sweeping through upheaval in France from 1815 to 1832, everything about “Les Mis” is grand – the violent political uprising, romantic passion, and the conflict between the fugitive Jean Valjean and the officer Inspector Javert who pursues him.

“I think it’s a great story about redemption, hope and humanity that resonates,” Joseph said. “And I love the expressiveness of the music and the operatic quality of the show.”

Michael Warner stars as Valjean, whose epic journey is the heart of the musical. Nearly age 40, Warner has listened to the music since his early twenties.

“This is one of the shows I was dying to do,” said Warner, a frequent Company Theatre performer who lives in Weymouth and graduated from Holbrook High. “I used to know every part and sing through the whole thing. It’s such an iconic role in musical theater.”

Despite the throng of auditioners who came from as far away as Acton, Joseph initially was anxious about finding the right actors to play Jean Valjean and Javert. The role of Jean Valjean, in particular, is one that relatively few performers can sing well.

Page 2 of 2 - “We needed someone with phenomenal vocal talent,” Joseph said. “The song “Bring Him Home” is probably one of the hardest songs in the musical repertoire. Michael sings with such ease that he is completely free for expression.”

Once he cast Warner, Joseph selected Equity actor Andrew Giordano as Javert. Giordano, of Burlington, has performed on Broadway in “Sunset Boulevard” and at Lincoln Center in “South Pacific.”

“Both roles are so specific vocally and require acting chops, and there has to be a chemistry between them,” Joseph said. “Andrew matches Michael vocally and physically and when they have their confrontation it’s extremely intense.”

Joseph is setting the bar high for all aspects of the show, particularly the 16-piece orchestra.

“We are going full gun on this,” Joseph said. “The orchestra acts a character in the story, and the keyboards have a very specific sound they play that I didn’t have on our keyboards. I purchased it so we can have the full sound of the latest revival orchestra.”

And that reflects his desire to surpass expectations of audience members in love with “Les Mis.”

“There are ‘Les Mis’ fanatics out there who come in knowing every note of this,” Joseph said. “They will absolutely hear every note in our production.”

Jody Feinberg may be reached at jfeinberg@ledger.com or follow on Twitter @JodyF_Ledger.